Intel plans a pair of new sockets for launch with its new processor architecture that succeeds Westmere, codenamed "Sandy Bridge", which are due for 2011. As part of its "tick-tock" product launch strategy, the company is currently transitioning between the 45 nm "tock" (Nehalem architecture), and 32 nm "tick" (Westmere architecture). In 2011, it will transition from the 32 nm "tick" (Westmere architecture), to the 32 nm "tock" (Sandy Bridge architecture). The company uses a "tick-tock" model of process development, where each processor architecture gets to be made in two successive manufacturing processes, while each process gets to build two succeeding architectures. It seems to have become clear that with Sandy Bridge, Intel will also switch to new socket designs, making existing motherboards obsolete then. Architecturally, Sandy Bridge will introduce new feature-sets that make the CPU more powerful, clock-to-clock, such as AVX - Advanced Vector Extensions, an evolution of the SSE instruction set, native AES engine which has been introduced with Westmere, and so on.

The present LGA-1156 package on which Intel builds value-through-performance processors including a bulk of mainstream processors, will be succeeded with the LGA-1155 package. Though similar, LGA-1155 and LGA-1156 are not inter-compatible, meaning that LGA-1155 processors will not work on existing LGA-1156 motherboards, and LGA-1156 processors will not work on LGA-1155 motherboards, either. For these processors, the arrangement of vital components is similar to the LGA-1156 package, except that every LGA-1155 processor - dual-core or quad-core - will feature an on-die display controller.

The die itself will be monolithic, where the northbridge component completely integrates with the processor component, leaving only the southbridge outside the package, on the motherboard. Currently, the "Clarkdale" and "Arrandale" dual-core processors have the processor and northbridge components on separate dies, but on the same package. LGA-1155 is also designated as socket H2 (LGA-1156 is H1), the package is identical in size to LGA-1156, but has a different pin layout and orientation notch.

Chipsets that drive the LGA-1156 platform include P67, H67, H61, and Q67, which will support features which were conceived prior to Ibex Peak platform's launch, but were shelved, such as ONFI NAND Flash "Braidwood", etc. USB 3.0 still isn't part of the feature-set, though native SATA 6 Gb/s support is on the cards.

The next big platform to succeed the LGA-1366, which caters to processors in the upper performance-though-enthusiast segments is the "Patsburg" platform, succeeding the existing "Tylersburg" based Intel X58, 5000 series chipsets. Here, Intel will introduce a massive new socket, the LGA-2011. The pin count is drastically increased for two reasons: the processor will have a 256-bit wide memory interface (quad-channel DDR3), and the northbridge component (currently X58 PCH) will be integrated completely into the processor package, upping the pin count with the PCI-Express and DMI pins. The on-die PCI-Express 2.0 root-complex will give out 32 lanes for graphics (unlike 16 lanes on the LGA-1155), and a DMI link to the so-called "Intel X68" chipset, which is relegated to being a Platform Controller Hub, just like the P55, or P67. The X68 could have a feature-set similar to the P67.

The present LGA-1156 package on which Intel builds value-through-performance processors including a bulk of mainstream processors, will be succeeded with the LGA-1155 package. Though similar, LGA-1155 and LGA-1156 are not inter-compatible, meaning that LGA-1155 processors will not work on existing LGA-1156 motherboards, and LGA-1156 processors will not work on LGA-1155 motherboards, either. For these processors, the arrangement of vital components is similar to the LGA-1156 package, except that every LGA-1155 processor - dual-core or quad-core - will feature an on-die display controller.

Well, if the market is basically capping your processor sales at the $300.00 retail price point you need to do something to get more money out of consumers One solution is to make them buy a new Intel made chipset as well if they want to upgrade their processor. I'm sure the motherboard manufacturers don't mind either.

This is a very shortsighted way of conducting business, assuming AMD manages to stick around. All bets are off if Intel can drive their only competitor out of business. Short of that though, and assuming both companies continue on with their processor road maps, I think this will bite Intel. "You can fool all of the people some of the time and some of the people all of the time, but you can't fool all of the people all of the time." This basic truism will catch up to them, given enough time.

I feel Intel's hands trying to deeply reach into my pockets... This socket-job is a highway heist. Intel deserves to be sabotaged for making people buy upgrades every 2 years... this cycle used to be much longer.

I hope the time comes soon for AMD to become AMD again and give Intel some good old fashioned (true) competition.

The CPU socket/support issue is a kick in de ballz for most mainstreamm users IMO and they should feel let down by intel, especiall S1156 owners. It don't effect me too much purelyu cause I have never owned a CPU or motherboard for more than a year! that does not excuse this though I appreciate.

Right now I'm glad I'm still on S775. My PC is fast enough for what I need/want to do now; if my E8400 gets too slow within the next year I'll just grab a second-hand Q9650 and OC the hell out of it.:/

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im in the same boat but ill prolly go AM3 next time I upgrade, really like the look of these future
Phenom II X4 940T/960T´s

At one point in time, I thought AMD was going to do a different Chipset for the X6 procs and intro Quad Channel Memory. Perhaps that is for their newest architecture, not what is being brought in currently.

Its ALL about the $$$$ its business and business is to make $$$$. Time will tell as the customers buy. If peeps keep buying while getting jerked off by any company guess what they will keep getting jerked off.